Peperomia plant ‘EC-PEPE-2102’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Peperomia plant named ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ is disclosed, characterized by rosette-shaped, compact habits, which are ideal for small pots. Oval-shaped leaves with two contrasting colors: dark-green around leaf veins, and silver-grey in between veins. The new variety is a Peperomia, typically used as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Peperomia caperata.

Variety denomination: ‘EC-PEPE-2102’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program to produce distinct and better performing Peperomia varieties. The new variety was selected as a seedling resulting from the crossing of Peperomia caperata ‘#014’, and ‘#007’, two unpatented varieties from the inventor's breeding line. The crossing was made by the inventor, Obed J. Smit, a citizen of the Netherlands in 2018. ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ was selected by the inventor in 2020 at a commercial greenhouse in Sappemeer, the Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ by terminal cuttings was first performed in Sappemeer, the Netherlands at a commercial greenhouse in March 2020, and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘EC-PEPE-2102’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ as a new and distinct Peperomia cultivar:

-   -   1. Leaves have two contrasting colors: dark-green around leaf         veins, and silver-grey in between veins.     -   2. Oval-shaped leaves.     -   3. Rosette-shaped compact habit, ideal for small pots.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ are similar to plants of the female parent, Peperomia caperata ‘#014’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ differ from in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of the new variety are oval-shaped, while leaves of         the seed parent are less oval with a pointed tip.     -   2. Leaves of the new variety have two contrasting colors of         dark-green around main leaf veins, and silver-grey in between         main leaf veins. Leaves of the seed parent are a lighter tone of         grey-green.     -   3. The new variety has many leaves, forming a dense rosette. The         seed parent has fewer leaves, making a less dense rosette.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ are similar to plants of the male parent, Peperomia caperata ‘#007’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of the new variety are oval-shaped, while leaves of         the pollen parent are pointed.     -   2. Leaves of the new variety have two contrasting colors of         dark-green around main leaf veins, and silver-grey in between         main leaf veins. Leaves of the pollen parent are dark-green.     -   3. The new variety has a more compact habit than the pollen         parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety Peperomia ‘EC-PEPE-1904’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,564. However, plants of the new cultivar differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of the new variety are smaller than leaves of this         comparator.     -   2. The new variety has a smaller plant habit than that of this         comparator.     -   3. Leaves of the new variety have a smoother surface than leaves         of this comparator.     -   4. Leaves of the new variety have two contrasting colors of         dark-green around main leaf veins, and silver-grey in between         main leaf veins. Leaves of this comparator have two contrasting         colors of dark-green around main and secondary leaf veins, and         silver-grey in between all these veins, as little grey         “islands.”

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ are similar to plants of Peperomia ‘Napoli Nights’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,416. However, plants of the new cultivar differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of the new variety are oval-shaped, while leaves of         this comparator are oblong with a more pointed tip.     -   2. Leaves of the new variety have two contrasting colors of         dark-green around main leaf veins, and silver-grey in between         main leaf veins. Leaf upper side of this comparator is evenly         grey-colored.     -   3. Leaf stems of the new variety are shorter than leaf stems of         this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ grown in a greenhouse. The plant is approximately 30 weeks of age.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the foliage.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close up of inflorescences.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ plants at 10 weeks of age, grown in a greenhouse in Sappemeer, the Netherlands during December. The growing temperature ranged from 17° C. to 20° C. at night to 19° C. to 21° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Peperomia caperata ‘EC-PEPE-2102’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 21 days at approximately 20° C. in     summer. -   Time to produce rooted cutting: About 25 days at 20° C. in summer. -   Description of Roots: Fibrous, fine, moderately dense, freely     branching. White in color, not accurately measured with R.H.S.     chart.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Perennial potted plant. -   Plant shape: Flattened globular to flattened. -   Growth habit: Rosettes of leaves, forming very short, thick stems. -   Plant spread: Approximately 22 cm. -   Height: 11.2 cm to top of foliar plane. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Plant vigor: Moderate to moderately high. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 10 months. -   Branching habit: Leaves in rosettes, eventually forming very short,     thick stems, branching into lateral rosettes of leaves. -   Pinching: Pinching not required. -   Number of primary (main) branches per plant: Average 14. -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant: Average 12. -   Main branches:     -   -   Length.—Average: 2.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average: 0.5 cm. -   Internode length: Average: Less than 0.1 cm. -   Appearance and shape: Succulent, thick and rounded. -   Luster: Matte. -   Aspect/angle from vertical: Average angle: 20°. -   Strength: Moderately strong. -   Color:     -   -   Developing.—RHS Greyed-Red 178A.         -   Mature.—RHS Greyed-Orange 177A.         -   At internodes.—RHS Greyed-Orange 177A. -   Pubescence: None. -   Plant fragrance: None.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single.         -   Quantity.—Average 23.         -   Average length.—3.3 cm.         -   Average width.—2.4 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic to near obovate.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Deeply truncate to near cordate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, smooth, moderately             leathery, slightly to moderately bullate.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous, smooth, moderately             leathery.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Luster, upper side.—Moderately glossy.         -   Luster, under side.—Slightly glossy, velvety.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Black 202C, area             surrounding veins Greyed-Green N189A. Young foliage under             side: RHS Greyed-Green 193A, veined Yellow-Green 148A.             Mature foliage upper side: A color between RHS Greyed-Green             N189C and Black 202C; area surrounding veins Greyed-Green             N189A, and slightly darker. Mature foliage under side: A             color between RHS Yellow-Green N148A and Greyed-Green 194A.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Parallel, moderately furrowed. Venation             color upper side: RHS Greyed-Green N189A, and slightly             darker. Venation color under side: RHS Yellow-Green 148A.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 6 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm. Texture:             Glabrous, smooth. Luster: Both sides very slightly glossy.             Strength: Low. Color, upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 148C,             heavily finely-striped Greyed-Red 182A. Color, under side:             RHS Yellow-Green 148C, heavily finely-striped Greyed-Red             182A.

FLOWER

-   Inflorescence:     -   -   Arrangement.—Axillary spike.         -   Inflorescence type and form.—Spike.         -   Inflorescence height.—Average: 3.9 cm (excl. peduncle).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Average: 0.25 cm.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Average approximately             425 individual flowers per spike. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Flower bud length.—About 0.75 mm.         -   Flower bud diameter.—About 0.3 mm.         -   Flower bud shape.—Flattened elliptic.         -   Flower bud texture.—Glabrous.         -   Flower bud luster.—Slightly glossy.         -   Flower bud color.—Near Yellow-Green 148C, slightly tinged             Greyed-Purple 185A. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type and form.—Individual flowers are very small and             consist of 1 bract and a single pistil. No petals or sepals             present.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Flower height (vertical).—Average: 0.8 mm.         -   Flower diameter (horizontal).—Average: 0.6 mm.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—Average one month.         -   Persistent of self-cleaning?.—Self-cleaning. -   Petals: No petals present. -   Calyx: No sepals present; no calyx present. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Terminal peduncle length.—Average: 5.8 cm.         -   Terminal peduncle diameter.—Average: 2.0 mm.         -   Peduncle angle to lateral branch axis.—Average angle: 30°.         -   Peduncle strength.—Moderately weak.         -   Peduncle texture.—Glabrous, smooth.         -   Peduncle luster.—Moderately glossy.         -   Peduncle color.—Yellow-Green 147D, slightly finely striped             Greyed-Red 182A. -   Pedicels: No pedicels present, individual flowers sessile. -   Floral bracts: Below each individual flower a single bract is     present, shaped orbicular, average length and width: 0.4 mm, colored     near Yellow-Green 146D, slightly tinged Greyed-Purple 185A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Not present.         -   Gynoecium.—         -   Pistil number (per flower).—1.         -   Pistil length.—Average: 0.1 mm.         -   Stigma shape.—Disc.         -   Stigma length.—Average: 0.1 mm.         -   Stigma diameter.—Average: 0.1 mm.         -   Stigma color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D.         -   Style length.—No style visible, stigma sessile.         -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: None observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: No increased nor decreased resistance nor     susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Peperomia has been     observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures up to 40° C. Hardy to     USDA zones 10 to 12. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Peperomia plant named ‘EC-PEPE-2102’ as herein illustrated and described. 